Legislative Democrats are holding six listening sessions to begin our 2017 outreach. We’ll be stopping Jan. 3-6 in Mason City, Waterloo, Davenport, DeWitt, Ottumwa and Anamosa. Throughout the year, we hope to meet with Iowans across our state.
We want to hear local concerns and share a positive vision for good jobs with good benefits, good schools, better health, and real public safety.
Mason City, Tuesday, January 3, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at the Mason City Public Library, 225 2nd Street SE.
Waterloo, Tuesday, January 3, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the Waterloo Public Library, 415 Commercial Street.
Davenport, Thursday, January 5, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., at the Village Inn, 1919 N. Harrison Street.
DeWitt, Thursday, January 5, from 11:00 a.m. to noon, at the Frances Banta Waggoner Library, 505 10th Street.
Ottumwa, Thursday, January 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Hotel Ottumwa’s Iowa Room, 107 2nd Street E.
Anamosa, Friday, January 6, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., at Grounds & Goodies, 112 E. Main Street.
“As we review the proposed Iowa Energy Plan, the new Legislature and Governor’s office should focus on developing our state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency resources, generating wealth throughout the state and making Iowa even more energy independent.
“Democratic leadership led the way in developing Iowa’s statewide renewable energy industry. That’s because Iowa renewable energy is good for the environment and good for Iowa jobs across our state.
“Iowa is the number one state in the production of biofuels and a national leader in wind energy. In addition, Iowa homeowners, farmers, and businesses are using solar systems to save money, and our utilities are investing in large scale solar installations.
“Many good Iowa jobs now involve manufacturing, installing and servicing of wind, solar, biofuels and energy efficiency systems. Iowa-made energy is a job creator that is expanding Iowa’s economy, especially in our rural areas and small towns.
“We hope legislative Republicans will continue bipartisan support for clean, renewable energy. This is especially important because the incoming President and his nominees for key positions have expressed opposition to clean energy solutions.”
Iowa Senate News Release For immediate release: December 9, 2016
(Des Moines) Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg has released the committee assignments for the Democratic members of the Iowa Senate for the 2017 session of the Iowa Legislature.
“A lot of groundwork is done during committee meetings, where there are opportunities for open discussion and bipartisan work,” Hogg said. “I’m disappointed Senate Republicans have eliminated the Economic Growth Committee, but we will look for ways to stand up for good jobs, good benefits and strong community schools across the state.”
The two-year 87th General Assembly will begin on Monday, January 9, 2017.
Iowa Senate News Release For immediate release: December 5, 2016
First change by Iowa Senate Republicans guts oversight of economic development projects
Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg
[Des Moines] The first decision by the new Republican majority in the Iowa Senate was to eliminate the Senate Economic Growth Committee. The committee oversees hundreds of millions of dollars in state economic development efforts by multiple state agencies. The Senate Republicans’ decision runs counter to that of the Republican-controlled Iowa House, which today announced that the House Economic Growth Committee will continue.
“Senate Republicans should reconsider their decision to gut legislative oversight of Iowa’s job creation efforts,” said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids). “The Senate Economic Growth Committee has helped Iowans create jobs with innovative programs in infrastructure, community development, and emerging technologies. The committee’s job is to improve these efforts and provide a safeguard against crony capitalism.”
Legislation developed by the Senate Economic Growth Committee was supported by bipartisan majorities in the Iowa House and Senate and signed into law by both Democratic and Republican Governors, including Governor Branstad. A 2016 example is Senate File 2300, legislation that will help make Iowa a key player in the next generation of renewable chemical production.
The new Iowa Senate Democratic leadership includes (from left) State Senators Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City (assistant leader), Rita Hart of Wheatland (assistant leader), Bill Dotzler of Waterloo (assistant leader), Liz Mathis of Robins (assistant leader), Amanda Ragan of Mason City (Senate Democratic Whip), Matt McCoy of Des Moines (assistant leader), Herman Quirmbach of Ames (assistant leader) and Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids (Senate Democratic Leader).
Iowa Senate News Release
For immediate release: November 19, 2016
Hogg elected leader of Senate Democrats
[Des Moines] At a Statehouse meeting Nov. 19, Democratic members of the Iowa Senate unanimously elected State Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids to serve as the Iowa Senate’s Democratic Leader.
Senator Hogg released the following statement:
“I’m honored my Senate Democratic colleagues selected me as their leader in this difficult time. During the 2017 legislative session, we will stand up for Iowans who need state government to work for all of us. One reason Iowa is such a great state is our dedicated public employees—teachers, corrections officers, state troopers, DOT workers, DHS workers, DNR workers, city and county staff, and many others—who work hard every day to help Iowans.
“We will stand up for working people who seek higher wages and better benefits, for families who need strong schools and affordable college and job training, for small business owners who need skilled workers and a level playing field, for seniors who need help to stay in their own homes, for veterans who need health care, for city residents and farmers looking for clean water and clean energy solutions, and for vulnerable Iowans who need a safety net to maintain their health and dignity.
“In contrast to most other states, Iowa’s state budget is in good shape. We want to keep it that way, and will try to prevent Governor Branstad and legislative Republicans from repeating the sort of mistakes that bankrupted Kansas, undermining their schools, health care and economy.”
Senator Hogg is in his third term in the Iowa Senate, after serving two terms in the Iowa House. He currently chairs the Government Oversight Committee, is vice-chair of the Judiciary Committee, and serves on the Appropriations, Education and Ways & Means committees. Following the devastating floods and tornadoes of 2008, Senator Hogg chaired a special Rebuild Iowa Committee focused on helping communities recover.
A fourth generation Iowan, Rob Hogg is a lawyer in private practice in Cedar Rapids. He and his wife, Kate, have three children and are members of Christ Episcopal Church.
Senate Democrats also elected Amanda Ragan of Mason City as Senate Democratic Whip, and six assistant leaders: Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, Bill Dotzler of Waterloo, Rita Hart of Wheatland, Liz Mathis of Robins, Matt McCoy of Des Moines and Herman Quirmbach of Ames.
In addition, the meeting was the first for newly elected State Senator Nate Boulton of Des Moines.
The 2017 session of the 87th Iowa General Assembly will convene on Monday, January 9, 2017.
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The new Iowa Senate Democratic leadership includes (from left) State Senators Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City (assistant leader), Rita Hart of Wheatland (assistant leader), Bill Dotzler of Waterloo (assistant leader), Liz Mathis of Robins (assistant leader), Amanda Ragan of Mason City (Senate Democratic Whip), Matt McCoy of Des Moines (assistant leader), Herman Quirmbach of Ames (assistant leader) and Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids (Senate Democratic Leader).
“As we review the proposed Iowa Energy Plan, the new Legislature and Governor’s office should focus on developing our state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency resources, generating wealth throughout the state and making Iowa even more energy independent.
